1. Houston Texans – *Blake Bortles |QB| Central Florida:
I want to put Jadeveon here but apart from his motivation flag, Clowney’s also just not a great fit in a traditional Crennel defense as either a 5tech or OLB. I’ve been a big fan of Bortles since looking at him early last year but I’m still shocked he might go #1 overall. It might just come down to fit, similar to Manuel to the Bills last year. Bortles is like a cross between Roethlisberger and Drew Stanton. Not entirely a knock-I've always been high on Stanton.
NFL Comp: Drew Stanton

2. St.Louis Rams (WAS) – *Jadeveon Clowney |DE| South Carolina:
Clowney’s likely the highest graded on everyone’s board despite the motivational questions. Creating an epic front line is more in tune with Fisher than bolstering any other position. Clowney could be used like Justin Tuck in his prime and rush inside primarily.
NFL Comp. Mario Williams

3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Khalil Mack |DE/OLB| Buffalo:
Mack’s a monster prospect and destined for a Von Miller type role, wherever he ends up. But after the huge hype on him this draft season I predict he’ll come up a little short of expectations in September.
NFL Comp. Akeem Ayers

4. Cleveland Browns – *Greg Robinson |OT/OG| Auburn:
Robinson was my 1st man crush of this draft season. I like the Larry Allen comparisons. Wherever he plays he gives the run game an enormous boost.
NFL Comp: Jason Peters

5. Oakland Raiders - *Sam Watkins |WR| Clemson:
Watkins is an impressive raw talent but is coming into the pros as almost more like a RB than WR and, traditionally, all-purpose college superstars don’t transition terrifically to the pros. He’s not quite as elusive as I thought-he’s more an explosive downhill type runner. But he does have great hands. I see some Percy Harvin and Josh Cribbs there but because of his over the top speed, his impact might be more like Torrey Smith. NFL Comp: Torrey Smith

6. Atlanta Falcons – Anthony Barr |OLB/DE| UCLA:
Barr may still be new to the defensive side but he’s got a prototypical skill set and the motor/work ethic to master his role and become a star. NFL Comp: DeMarcus Ware

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – *Mike Evans |WR| Texas A&M:
Evans is an elite WR prospect. Top ten isn’t out of the question. You get the sense that Lovie is scraping everything that was already there, and M.Williams hasn't made the greatest first impression.NFL Comp: Plaxico Burress

8. Minnesota Vikings – *Ryan Shazier |LB| Ohio St:
Shazier is a great sideline to sideline guy and phenomenal blitzer/pass rush specialist. He's a strong fit in Zims defense as hybrid outside type or potentially MLB. Spielman routinely offers up a surprise on draft day and with the need there and Shazier's upside, I could see this happening. NFL Comp: Mychal Kendricks

9. Buffalo Bills – *Eric Ebron |TE| North Carolina: Ebron’s a top ten offensive talent and ought to be too good for most teams at the top to pass. An all pro caliber Jermichael Finley. NFL Comp: Jermichael Finley

10. Detroit Lions – Jake Matthews |OT| Texas A&M:Matthews isn’t incredible imo but he projects as a very reliable OL and can play wherever you line him up. On DET, he’s a potential upgrade everywhere but RG and OC.NFL Comp: Jordan Gross

11. Tennessee Titans - Kyle Van Noy |LB/DE| BYU: I’m very high on Van Noy. I think he’s better than any of the DE/OLBs that came out last year. A great, and really deceptive, all-around game. Demonstrated his effectiveness all week and late in the Senior Bowl game vs top 20 OT Zach Martin, where on three consecutive plays, went in, out, and bull rushed for pressure. Perfect fit for Horton’s scheme.NFL Comp: Mike Vrabel

12. New York Giants – Aaron Donald |DT/DE| Pittsburgh:
Hitting everything out the park in pre draft evaluations. Donald’s versatile enough to even kick out to DE in certain situations.
NFL Comp: Cullen Jenkins

14. Chicago Bears – *Tim Jernigan|DT| Florida St.:
Looks like a one gap DT but plays stout like a true NT. It'll be harder to be as dominant in the pros but he's a good worker.
NFL Comp. Brandon Mebane

15. Pittsburgh Steelers – *Marqise Lee |WR| USC:
If not for a nagging gimpy knee, Lee might clearly be the best WR in this draft. If he has to have a procedure after the season on that knee, his stock will take a hit.
NFL Comp: Pierre Garcon

17. Baltimore Ravens – Taylor Lewan |OT| Michigan: Lewan’s a possible right or left side plug and play guy. But some off the field incidents might hurt his stock. A top ten guy on talent in most drafts. NFL Comp: Mike Roos

18. New York Jets – Dee Ford |OLB/DE| Auburn:
A little high for Ford but I think a team will covet his pass rushing ability and reach. It could be his mouth and personality, but I think he’s a great fit for Ryan and the Jets.NFL Comp: Cliff Avril

19. Miami Dolphins – *Xavier Su’a-Filo |OG| UCLA:
Versatile and reliable interior guy that might eventually end up in the pivot. Doubtful on the Dolphins however.
NFL Comp. Mike Pouncey

20. Arizona Cardinals - *Kony Ealy |DE/OLB| Missouri:
Great mobility at his size but doesn’t play as well in the trenches. I think he might be better suited in a hybrid role but that won't happen in Det.NFL Comp: Pernell McPhee

21. Green Bay Packers – C.J. Mosley |ILB| Alabama: Mosley is simply a beast of a prospect and could probably fit at any LB position in any defense. Injury history and a good not great senior year, will affect his stock however. NFL Comp: Hardy Nickerson

22. Philadelphia Eagles – Darqueze Dennard |CB| Michigan St:
Liked Dennard early this season and he’s gotten steadily better and raised his stock. Not much of a playmaker on the ball but everything else has the look of a shut down CB.NFL Comp: Jason McCourty

23. TRADE Jacksonville Jaguars (KC) – *Teddy Bridgewater |QB| Louisville:
I can't remember the last top QB to come up short of expectations at his pro day. It's a rare occurrence and only raises more questions about the quality of QBs in this class. That said, the Jags need a guy to groom and Ted might still be the best passer in this class. Jac moves up for their 3rd rounder.
NFL Comp: Ryan Tannehill

24. Cincinnati Bengals - Jason Verrett |CB| TCU:
Still my top CB. Playing through an injured shoulder only makes me like him more.NFL Comp: Joe Haden

25. San Diego Chargers – *Bradley Roby |CB| Ohio St:
Gifted athletically and can do everything in the secondary but is prone to mistakes and poor technique.NFL Comp: Michael Huff

26. Cleveland Browns – *John Manziel |QB| Texas A&M:
Manziel's a polarizing guy but this is the way I look at it. If a QB can capably run an offense, buy time in the pocket/extend plays, and limit his mistakes, he's going to play winning football. The key and variable is how well he runs the offense, but even at just a competent level, it'll still be winning football. I point to when Tom Brady took over for Bledsoe. The biggest difference was Brady's ability to buy time in the pocket and limit his turnovers. Eventually he mastered Weiss' offense but initially, these were the traits that started the winning. It's even more the case now in the league and it's trending that way more every year with the best young QBs being Luck, Kaepernick, Wilson and Newton. I've no idea how well Manziel will master an offense over time but I think he'll be able to limit his mistakes and extend plays from his first start. That's going to be winning football.
NFL Comp: Jeff Garcia

28. TRADE Oakland Raiders (CAR) – Derek Carr |QB| Fresno St:
I’ve been down on Carr all year but recently looked at some older games when he ran a pro style offense and came away more encouraged. I questioned his arm strength early last year but he’s clearly got a big gun, he just rarely drove the ball, opting for touch within Fresno’s dink and dunk. The only glaring issue is that he’s too easily sacked and rattled by pressure. But that's a big issue. Oakland moves back up for a 2015' 3rd.NFL Comp: Josh McCown

29. New England Patriots – *Calvin Pryor |S| Louisville:
Leader in the secondary who can support the run like a LB but athletic enough to cover some. I think he’s a better fit in the box then in the deep half.
NFL Comp: T.J. Ward

30. San Francisco 49ers – *Odell Beckham Jr |WR| LSU:Beckham is a great all around playmaker and was clutch for LSU last season.NFL Comp: Ted Ginn

31. Denver Broncos – *HaSean Clinton-Dix |FS| Alabama:Looks like a physical CB playing S. Great value at the end of the first.NFL Comp: Brodney Pool

2. Washington Redskins – *Brandin Cooks |WR| Oregon St:
Blazing speed but also has strong hands and yac skills. He’ll be a handful in the NFL because he’s smooth but also a blur.NFL Comp: Harry Douglas

3. Cleveland Browns – Chris Borland |ILB| Wisconsin:
Borland’s a better prospect than Te’o last year, who went #38. I think he’s also a better prospect than Hightower, who went #25 in 12’. He doesn’t hit the arm length benchmark, but they haven’t prevented him from stacking/shedding capably during his Badger career. Z.Thomas is the easy comparison but I also see Teddy Bruschi.
NFL Comp: Zach Thomas

8. Minnesota Vikings – A.J. McCarron |QB| Alabama:
A.J.'s more athletic than he gets credit for. If he improves his strength, he'll be a good starting NFL QB. Vikings recently sent their whole camp to the Bama pro day.
NFL Comp. Alex Smith

9. Buffalo Bills – *Scott Crighton |DE| Oregon St:
Crighton is steadily getting more attention as a top pick. I think he’s the 2nd best DE in this class. More suited as an end in an even front, but showed at the combine he’s athletic enough to play some in a hybrid scheme. NFL Comp: Jason Babin

11. New York Giants – *Austin Sefarian-Jenkins |TE| Washington: ASF is better than I thought. Incredible body control and agility at his size. He’ll be a much better pro then college player.NFL Comp: Rob Gronkowski

18. Miami Dolphins - *Tre Mason |RB| Auburn:
Propped up by a dominant run first Auburn offense, but still, not a guy to bet against. Dolphins need a true #1 type RB in the offense and the GM recently spoke about the importance of depth at key positions.
NFL Comp: Pierre Thomas

19. Chicago Bears – Stanley Jean-Baptiste |CB| Nebraska:
One of the more intriguing guys during Senior week practices. Showed very good fluidity and awareness. Didn’t run as well as I had thought at the combine but was strong in drills and the short area explosion testing.
NFL Comp: Marcus Coleman

22. Philadelphia Eagles – *Carl Bradford |LB| Arizona St:
Bradford's been a solid hybrid pass rushing DE for the Sun Devils but he could also be a thumping inside LB as a pro. There's a need for both in Philly.
NFL Comp: Kawika Mitchell

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gabe Jackson |OG| Mississippi St:
Needs to play more stout given his size, but with good technique, he could be a high level OG for awhile.
NFL Comp: Davin Joseph

6. TRADE Kansas City Chiefs (JAC) – *Donte Montcrief |WR| Ole Miss:
A fast 40 time in Indianapolis could make him a lot of money. Mission accomplished. But I still don’t seem him as a 2nd rounder in this class.
NFL Comp. Miles Austin

7. Cleveland Browns – C.J. Fiedorwicz |TE| Iowa:
Browns need as much help in the run game as possible and an upgrade over Barnidge in the passing game.
NFL Comp: Marcedes Lewis

8. Minnesota Vikings – Will Sutton |DT| Arizona St:
His energy is what I like most about his game. He’ll be a tone setter. But his weight fluctuation makes his stock hard to project. NFL Comp: Sen'Derrick Marks

18. Chicago Bears – *Troy Niklas |TE| Notre Dame:
Not an immediate need but Niklas is a steal here and the Bears have been messing around with Rosario, showing there's a need for another TE.
NFL Comp: Kyle Rudolph

19. Cleveland Browns (PITT)– Chris Watt |OG| Notre Dame:
Senior season injury keeping him a sleeper but is a tough interior guy that can fire out to the 2nd level with ease.
NFL Comp.

24. Cincinnati Bengals – Cassius Marsh |DE/OLB| UCLA:
Sleeper that I've seen more praise for of late. I like his game and he could end up a better pro than college player. Potential as a DL or OLB.
NFL Comp. Michael Bennett

26. Indianapolis Colts – Ricardo Allen |CB| Purdue:
Allen’s my top sleeper CB. Aggressive, physical all round guy that got lost on a terrible defense last year. Showed his ability as a returner at the Shrine game as well.NFL Comp: Chris Harris

I know our defense was beyond horrible but I wouldn't mind you throwing us a couple offensive guys since our needs are met within the first 2-3 rounds. Philadelphia that is.

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeJoeBrown
The most important thing, however, is how strong their swagger factors are.
Newton
South of the Mason Dixon +10 swagger
Barely literate +5 swagger
Thief +15 swagger
Kicked off of a team of thugs +20 swagger
Big, average speed -3 swagger
Hasn't done jacksquat on the field +15 swagger
Total Swagger: 62ATL College Park Zone 3* +20 swagger Bonus pts

I mostly dislike that draft for Baltimore. Lewan does make some sense since right tackle is still a need but his on and off-field issues worry me. He's a guy I could see racking up the after-the-player personal foul penalties. Of course I'm also a Michigan State homer so take it for what it's worth.

Ellington at 48 is too high for my tastes. That's all there is to that one.

If the Ravens draft Martin in your scenario his guard versatility isn't a big factor since there wouldn't be any need for one with Osemele and Yanda on the team. If the Ravens don't sign a free agent center and they did address it with a draft pick Martin would be nice though.

I mostly dislike that draft for Baltimore. Lewan does make some sense since right tackle is still a need but his on and off-field issues worry me. He's a guy I could see racking up the after-the-player personal foul penalties. Of course I'm also a Michigan State homer so take it for what it's worth.

Ellington at 48 is too high for my tastes. That's all there is to that one.

If the Ravens draft Martin in your scenario his guard versatility isn't a big factor since there wouldn't be any need for one with Osemele and Yanda on the team. If the Ravens don't sign a free agent center and they did address it with a draft pick Martin would be nice though.

That's right. Good point on Martin.

__________________..yes, this sig is a little embarrassing right now...but it's like my penance

Nice effort, Idk if the cowboys would go with a 1 tech at 16, maybe if they land a guy like melton in FA. But if they miss on Donald I'd rather have Martin at 16.

His versatility along the line is very valuable and is as close to a can't miss player as you can get in this draft imo and can help us make that line a very strong young group.

In the 2nd I don't mind either Lawrence or Chris Smith.

The 3rd, would've loved Sutton or Brooks there.
Who knows, could be a QB, but we have so many needs on defense or could use a WR-Moncrief would be better there, and thanks for keeping it real by not putting him in the 1st round.

the pick im really struggling with as a saints fan is Jeffcoat. Dont know why people are mocking a pass rusher to the saints at all. In the nickel our pass rushers are set and in the base D the OLB type we need is a guy who can do way more in coverage. Most of the other picks do make sense yet id go a totally different route.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers – *Marqise Lee |WR| USC:
If not for a nagging gimpy knee, Lee might clearly be the best WR in this draft. If he has to have a procedure after the season on that knee, his stock will take a hit.
NFL Comp: Pierre Garcon

Doesn't matter what I want, if he is getting a decent sized contract(Terms yet disclosed), it will mean he's our starting RT, thus the need for one isn't as high.

I just can't see us drafting an OT before an OG. We really need a guard.

Gio's a fallback starter. I'd imagine he's getting paid as such. I don't think it inhibits drafting a OT all that much. You wouldn't want to fit a rookie into such a gaping hole without some kind of insurance. Also don't think you can say Fleming can't play inside at this point.

__________________..yes, this sig is a little embarrassing right now...but it's like my penance

Tackle, not interior, is the real need on the OL. We just signed an OG to start and re-signed two other possible interior players.

Smith has no purpose after Mack and doesn't fit the 3-4.

As a huge VT fan, Exum is a waste of a pick and not a sleeper.

I think Su'a Filo could project to OC. I thought Konz was a disaster there? Smith's going to make a great nickel LB. Since Nolan plays hybrid schemes I thought there might be a place for him as a starter. They're also extremely thin at that position.

We'll just disagree on Exum.

__________________..yes, this sig is a little embarrassing right now...but it's like my penance

Nice effort, Idk if the cowboys would go with a 1 tech at 16, maybe if they land a guy like melton in FA. But if they miss on Donald I'd rather have Martin at 16.

His versatility along the line is very valuable and is as close to a can't miss player as you can get in this draft imo and can help us make that line a very strong young group.

In the 2nd I don't mind either Lawrence or Chris Smith.

The 3rd, would've loved Sutton or Brooks there.
Who knows, could be a QB, but we have so many needs on defense or could use a WR-Moncrief would be better there, and thanks for keeping it real by not putting him in the 1st round.

Interesting. Hadn't even been considering OG as a draft need for the Cowboys. But it's really hard to see them pass on Jernigan in their current state.

__________________..yes, this sig is a little embarrassing right now...but it's like my penance

I think Su'a Filo could project to OC. I thought Konz was a disaster there? Smith's going to make a great nickel LB. Since Nolan plays hybrid schemes I thought there might be a place for him as a starter. They're also extremely thin at that position.

We'll just disagree on Exum.

We re-signed Joe Hawley to compete for the center spot with Konz. It IS a need but not nearly as impactful as OT.

Spoon and Bartu/Worrilow are fine as nickel backers. Too earpy for a non-starter considering we have major needs elsewhere. For example, we have no free safety.

You can disagree bur I have watched him for four years. He couldn't hang at safety early in his career because he isn't football smart (very intelligent guy though). At corner he was better but had trouble keeping up and was frequently (very) called for pass interference.